United Steelworkers: News Articles

USW member featured in post-election victory conference

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

USW Local 207L member Shane Hanley represented union workers in the Labor '08 election mobilization program, which AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said at a recent press event was critical to the winning vote for President-elect Obama and an expanded majority in Congress that will work for working families.

Check out this video featuring Hanley:

USW Diary Entry: A Union Activist Returns Home to Work for Change

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Linda Foley returned to her home town of Pittsburgh 30 years after leaving to join hundreds of Steelerworkers to work for Barack Obama. Read her inspiring diary entry here.

Foley worked along side the nationwide-USW Activist Corps that was instrumental in electing Barack Obama and other pro-working family candidates. In case you missed it, check out our video, Road to Change, that recaps the effort:

USW calls on International Trade Commission to crack down on illegal Chinese line pipe

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

USW International Vice President Thomas M. Conway this week testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to urge a final determination against illegal China imports of circular welded carbon quality line pipe produced by ten domestic companies that are used in the oil and gas distribution industry.

Read our press release on this important issue here.

Gerard to USW members: Support emergency assistance plan for automakers

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Sisters and Brothers,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, let us not forget that our nation’s economy is in crisis. We’ve all felt the effects of this difficult time and we need to do what we can to prevent the crisis from getting worse.

That means supporting an emergency assistance package for the U.S. automakers. Let’s be clear: this is not a bailout that only helps Wall Street. This is an absolutely necessary loan to aid Main Street and protect our jobs.

The auto industry employs millions of hard working men and women and provides health care and pensions to millions more retirees. These family-supporting jobs are vital to communities across the nation. But this issue goes far beyond that – millions more jobs, including tens of thousands of USW jobs - are directly tied to the auto industry.

If the auto industry goes bust, chances are our jobs will go with it and our entire economy will spiral deeper into peril.

So supporting this package isn’t just about solidarity for our brothers and sisters at the United Autoworkers and other unions, although that on it’s own would make this a worthy cause. It’s about saving our economy, protecting the middle class and fighting for our families.

Here’s what you can do right now:

1. Visit our Web site, www.usw.org or the UAW’s site at www.uaw.org and get the facts about the emergency assistance package. You can also download a PDF version of the talking points by clicking here.
2. Call and write your Congressmen and Congresswomen, state leaders and governors to express support for the emergency assistance package and request that they support the UAW-endorsed plan. You can e-mail Congress using our easy tool by clicking here.
3. Pass along this information and ask your co-workers, friends and families to also take action.

Here's the message we need to send: Congress must act in December to avoid the terrible consequences that would result from a collapse of the domestic automakers. It must pass legislation providing an emergency bridge loan to enable the domestic auto companies to continue their operations. At the same time, it should include requirements that will protect the taxpayers, and ensure the accountability and long term liability of the domestic auto companies.

You can download a copy of the letter about this important issue I recently sent to U.S. senators by clicking here.

As always, thanks for all you do.

In Solidarity,

Leo W. Gerard

USW, steel industry urge U.S. government to stand up to China

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Today, the United Steelworkers, American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Manufacturer’s Association, Specialty Steel Industry of North America and The Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports issued a joint statement about Chinese steel imports.

Among other things, the statement urges the U.S. government to stand up to China by demanding that China stop manipulating currency, export tax and rebate policies. "The U.S. government should insist that China have WTO-consistent policies on raw materials, semi-finished and finished steel products to ensure that no U.S. manufacturers are disadvantaged," the statement reads.

The statement also says, "During a worldwide economic recession, China should not try to maintain economic growth by directing subsidized exports to the U.S."

Read the entire statement here.

Court OKs Establishment of $28 million VEBA for Rockwell Retirees' Health Care

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A settlement that establishes a $28 million voluntary employees' beneficiary association to provide health benefits to approximately 1,000 retirees of Rockwell Automation's predecessor Oct. 7 received approval from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Leonhardt v. ArvinMeritor Inc., E.D. Mich., No. 04-CV-72845, 10/7/08).

The VEBA will cover retirees from United Steelworker-represented plants in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Click here to read the settlement.

USW Women of Steel Crusade Against Toxic Trade

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The United Steelworkers (USW) Women of Steel (WOS) is hosting a lead screening session to educate families about potentially toxic products and the bad trade policies that are allowing them into our homes. The product screenings are part of the USW's international "Protect Our Kids - Stop Toxic Imports" campaign.

Members of the community are invited to bring toys and other imported items to the Early Literacy Center, where they will be screened for lead and where the USW will provide safety and educational material. The USW's Women of Steel are conducting the lead-screening tests here and across the United States and Canada ... more

Unions across the Globe Congratulate Steelworkers for Role in the Election

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

During the recent election, millions of working men and women across America and around the globe watched and cheered as Senator Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States.

Many of our brothers and sisters in the labor movement recognize the major role the Steelworkers played in brining new hope and change to workers everywhere.

Here are a few of the congratulatory letters from unions from other countries.

Letter from Khoirul Anam
President
DPP FSP KAHUTINDO (The Federation of All-Indonesian Wood Forestry and General Workers' Union)
Indonesia

Letter from Paul Howes
National Secretary
Australian Workers Union
Australia

Agreement Reached at MeadWestvaco Mahrt, Alabama Paper Mill

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced the ratification of a new labor agreement at MeadWestvaco’s Mahrt, Alabama paper mill covering some 540 workers. The agreement, which will expire on October 31, 2013, provides an immediate $3,000 lump sum bonus payable to production and maintenance employees, plus an immediate general wage increase of 2% which will be retroactive to November 3, 2008. The new agreement contains wage increases totaling 10.5% over the contract’s term.

“The new six year agreement provides USW members at Mahrt with wage, benefit and other provisions that are comparable with the better pacts being negotiated in the paper industry ... more

New Video Documents USW's Road to Change, unprecedented activism in election

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

PITTSBURGH – At the United Steelworkers’ (USW) recent international convention, President Leo W. Gerard called upon members to “seize the moment” and work for change in the most important election of our lifetimes.

Across the nation, the union’s members heeded the call with unprecedented activism – much of it featured in a new video being released today, “Road to Change.”

The video caps off an exciting week in which USW members have been celebrating victories by Barack Obama and other pro-worker candidates, particularly in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Florida where the USW mounted historical outreach efforts to educate voters on key issues and talk through other factors such as race.

Read more of this story here. And watch the video here.

NEW VIDEO: Hope Wins! USW celebrates Obama, Democratic victories

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The USW is proud to have been part of the movement for change that led Barack Obama to the highest office in the land and brought a sweeping victory to the U.S. Congress for working families. Congratulations to the unprecedented number of activists on this historic moment. But make no mistake, there's plenty of hard work yet to do to turn our country around. Stay tuned for more on how you can stay involved.

Read USW International President Leo W. Gerard's post-election letter to members and local union leaders here.

Check out President-Elect Obama's historic speech from last night and read the congratulatory letter from President Gerard to Obama by clicking here. The letter reads, in part: "Over the last eight years, hundreds of thousands of Steelworkers have been thrown out of their jobs, many have lost their homes, many have lost their health care and many are suffering from the economic effects in other ways. ...Thanks to you, today they are optimistic and now have a fighting chance!"

Steelworkers Celebrate Election Night

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

USW Grassroots Campaign Delivers for Obama, others United Steelworkers (USW) members nationwide celebrated last night's polling victories, particularly in key battleground states where the USW mounted unprecedented outreach efforts to educate voters on key issues. There is great anticipation that the Obama victory will help American working families and get the country as a whole back on track.

"We always knew that economics would define the voting and our members were motivated like never before," said USW International president Leo W. Gerard. "When you feel the brunt of the downturn in the economy and wake up wondering if your job is being shipped overseas or whether you can still afford health care, you work like hell for change ... more

Election Day '08: USW working hard on final stretch of road to victory

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

During the most important election of our lifetime, the most important work is yet to be done. Use our handy tool below to find a labor walk or phone bank near you and visit our USW Election Central to get the latest news, flyers, event info and more. If you'd like to volunteer for USW election activities, call our Activist Corps hotline at 1-866-836-5103.

Zip Code:
Search Radius:	miles

NEW VIDEO: Obama 'we've come so far' but can't afford to let up

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Watch this moving video in which presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about how far our country has come but how we can't afford to let up until every vote is cast and counted.

Winner in Rapid Response Harley give away announced

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As a thank you to all of USW members who have taken action to help pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and other critical USW issues, there was a drawing for a new 2009 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle or the cash equivalent. The entry into the drawing was a card to be sent to the next President and Congress urging quick passage of the EFCA. The winner was also required to be registered to vote.

And the winner is:

Robert Embert
Local 8567
District 10

Congratulations to Robert. His ticket was drawn from more than 120,000 that were sent in. Thank you again to all USW members for your work to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. The fight is not over yet. We will keep you informed on our next steps and, as always, USW Rapid Response will lead the way as we fight to secure the rights of workers to form a union in their workplace.

Final Steel Blitz Stop: Get Out the Vote for Obama-Biden

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Former Steelers greats Franco Harris, Edmond Nelson and chairman Dan Rooney joined the USW and other labor leaders for the final stop of the Steel Blitz for Barack tour - a massive get out the vote rally at Steelworkers' headquarters. Click here for a photo slideshow, or view it below.

Lawmakers, union cheer paper case victory

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

WASHINGTON — Wisconsin lawmakers and union leaders cheered paper maker Appleton's victory Thursday against foreign competitors.

Appleton won the final round of a 13-month effort to prove German and Chinese lightweight thermal manufacturers used unfair trade practices that warranted U.S. government action.

Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and Reps. Steve Kagen and Tom Petri said the International Trade Commission made the right decision in finding that artificially low prices for foreign paper products posed a significant economic threat to Appleton.

Kohl, Kagen and Petri along with Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis., testified before the commission at an October hearing on the case.

"Given the competitive global economy, this is a fair and proper response,” Petri, R-Fond du Lac said.

USW Calls Paper Trade Case Ruling 'Good News for Working Families'

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The United Steelworkers (USW) joined Appleton Papers in applauding today’s U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) final determination to impose both anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on unfairly traded imports of lightweight thermal paper (LWTP) from China and Germany.

USW President Leo W. Gerard called the Commission’s vote, “Good news for working families at paper mills in four states.” He declared, “Our distressed economy and paper workers needed our government’s decision in this case to warn foreign producers that when American industry is willing to fight for strong fair trade law enforcement – they can get it.” ... more

1 of 10,000-strong USW Activist Corps: Will knock on doors all the way to White House

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Earlier this week, the USW reached an incredible milestone when it signed up its 10,000th activist working on the election. After the annoucement, we got a moving message from one of those activists, USW Local 760 member Richard Doyle.

Doyle says he's been knocking on doors for weeks now and will continue knocking until he reaches the White House so that working families finally have a voice. Listen to Brother Doyle's message here.

Cooper Urged to Keep Jobs Here

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Local, state and national union leaders and about 80 faithful rallied Tuesday at United Steel Workers Local 207L, urging Cooper Tire to keep its Findlay plant open.

The company last week said it will likely close a plant in Findlay; Albany, Ga.; Texarkana, Ark.; or Tupelo, Miss., in the next few months.

Local 207L President Rod Nelson told the crowd Cooper's announcement did not surprise him.

“We know there is an overcapacity in the market here with imports (of tires) on the rise coming from China and Mexico,” he said.

But what bothered him was the way the announcement was made.

“It is very upsetting that we have got to compete with another union plant, which is Texarkana. Not only that, but two other tire plants,”
Nelson said. “It is a shame it has come to that.”

Cooper plans to produce fewer tires in the United States and more in countries where wages are lower.

“What that means is we are going to lose jobs here in the United States,” Nelson said. “We need some help. We just cannot compete with the low wages they have got over there in China. Cooper now is putting money in a facility in Mexico ... (company leaders) are dead set on shutting down a (U.S.) plant and increasing those imports.”

Others said the Cooper situation is part of a trend in which companies have transferred millions of jobs to other countries in recent years.

“What is happening at Cooper Tire is kind of an indication, kind of an example of what is happening and what has been happening across our country for eight years, maybe even a little longer,” said Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International.

“NAFTA and CAFTA (the North American and Central America free trade agreements) and the workers got the shafta, and that is what it was all about,” McEntee said.

Cummins Filtration employee Tom Molyet, who is president of UNITE HERE Local 1812 in Findlay, also criticized the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“We cannot compete with China on a level playing field ... We are losing more and more jobs,” Molyet said.

Fifty-one employees at Cummins' Findlay plant are temporarily laid off, he said. Cummins makes in-tank fuel filters for the automotive industry.

“We have a factory in China and we have one in Brazil, and the constant threat is always there (that) we are going to lose our jobs because they can do it over there for less money,” Molyet said.

Besides the lower wages, other countries offer another unfair advantage: less environmental regulation, he said.

Union leaders touted Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as the one to keep more jobs in the United States. In the Senate, Obama has voted 100 percent of the time for American workers, McEntee said.

“That is the place we want to be in,” he said to cheering and applause. “That is the place we want to go to. That is the America we want to go to.”

Mike Carroll, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative of the 4th Congressional District, said he would fight to keep jobs in the United States.

“I am not a politician,” said Carroll, a steel worker from Mansfield. “I am an average American worker, one who is fed up with the direction this country is going.”

“I want to be a voice for American families. I want to be a voice for American workers,” Carroll said. “Too often we elect and send to Washington professional politicians. They do not live with the fears we live with every day. They do not live with the fear of their job being cut, or plant or business shutting down ... I know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. I know what it is like to live with the fear of losing your insurance.”

NEW VIDEO: USW president to members: Don't let up in final days of campaign

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

USW International President Leo W. Gerard calls on members in this new video to seize the moment in the final days of the campaign. Watch the video below or on our interactive Election Central, where you can find all the latest election information, find out where you can volunteer, download flyers and more. If you're looking to pitch in on Election Day, call the USW's Activist Corp hotline at 1-866-836-5103.

USW Raises Questions about Treasury's $125 Billion Investment in Financial Firms

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In a letter sent today to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo W. Gerard raised questions about the prudence of Treasury investments of $125 billion of taxpayers’ money into nine financial institutions, including the firm which Paulson recently headed, Goldman Sachs.

An analysis prepared by the Union, which was attached to the letter, uses traditional Wall Street valuation techniques to demonstrate that the Treasury’s investment in Goldman and the other firms was worth approximately half of the price paid and that the other half was a gift to the firms’ shareholders. The analysis was done by comparing Treasury’s investment to one made just twenty days earlier by Warren Buffett ... more

USW Oil Workers Overwhelmingly Approve National Oil Bargaining Policy

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Oil workers from the United Steelworkers union (USW) overwhelmingly ratified the 2009 National Oil Bargaining policy and gave strike authorization to the union.

“This strong ratification of the oil policy and strike ratification shows how united and determined the membership is in getting a fair contract,” International Vice President Gary Beevers said. “By adopting the policy, the local unions agree that their contracts will not conflict with it. Any deviation from the policy requires specific approval from the international president, me and the oil bargaining policy committee.” ... more

10,000 Strong: Unprecedented number of USW activists working hard for Obama in final stretch

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Pittsburgh – As the final week of the campaign begins, the United Steelworkers (USW) is proud to announce that it has enlisted more than 10,000 volunteer activists from among the union’s ranks to help elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

The largest industrial union in North America reached the milestone this past weekend, and it was announced by International President Leo W. Gerard during a stop on the Steel Blitz for Barack bus tour, one of many Steelworkers’ pro-Obama efforts across the country.

Other efforts of the 850,000-member union include member-to-member phone banking, neighborhood block walking, leafleting, rallies and voter protection. Read more of this story here.

Photo Essay: Steel Blitz for Barack bus tour

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The Steel Blitz for Barack bus tour stopped in Latrobe, Leechburg and Beaver, Pa., this past weekend. Check out photos on our multimedia page, or watch a slide show below. The final stop of the tour is this Saturday, Nov. 1, at USW headquarters in Pittsburgh. Click here for more info.